Introduction

Recently I had the privilege of speaking at the State 4-H shooting sports meeting in Red Bluff, CA, on the topic of youth mental well-being. Leading up to the presentation, I was a little nervous. I did not know the audience. Also, there can be stigma around the topic of mental health and I wasn't sure how the audience would take my presentation. 

Upon arriving at the facility, I was greeted by a warm group of 4-H shooting sports project leaders. I definitely felt a sense of belonging as I participated in the two-day event. Nate Caeton and Russ Hill, the CA 4-H shooting sports statewide leaders, provided an excellent agenda covering a wide range of topics relevant to shooting sports, such as project best practices, 4-H Thrive Developmental Contexts, and youth leadership opportunities.

On the second day, I presented on the topic of youth mental health and its relation to the 4-H shooting sports program. There was high engagement during my presentation, which validated for me the importance of discussing youth mental health. Below are the main points I covered in my presentation.

Opening up our dialogue

Mental health can be a challenging topic to discuss with other adults and also with youth. Below is a video that illustrates this point.

What is mental health?

It can be challenging to understand what is mental health. There are several definitions that prove helpful. For example, the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services says, “Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.” Also, the World Health Organization says, “Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” 

Relation of mental health to 4-H

In the 4-H youth development program, youth members and adult volunteers say a pledge at each community club meeting. The 4-H pledge states, "I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, and my health to better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world."

So what do we mean by pledging "my health to better living?" Can this include our "mental health?"

While I am not suggesting we change our 4-H pledge, I would encourage us to think about the importance of our mental health in relation to "better living." To practice this concept, try saying the 4-H pledge by inserting the word "mental" before the word "health." By doing this, we can expand our conception of health, which includes our mental health along with our emotional and physical health.

Teen mental health

So how does mental health work anyway? Watch this video to find out.

U.S. youth mental health trends

How many adolescents in the U.S. experience a mental health disorder? Here is a figure from the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health. This figure illustrates that one out of two adolescents will experience a mental health disorder in their lifetime. Of these, 22.2% will experience a severe impairment. Further, mental health affects female adolescents at a higher rate (51%) compared to male adolescents (48.1%). Regarding age, mental health disorders increase as the youth get older.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the second leading cause of death for adolescents between the ages 10 and 19 in the USA, accounting for 2744 deaths in 2019. Also, firearm-related injuries were the second leading cause of death, responsible for 15% of deaths. Among firearm deaths, 59% were homicides, 35% were suicides, and 4% were unintentional injuries (e.g. accidental discharge) (Cunningham, et al., 2019).

Youth mental health and screen time

One national study found that adolescents who spent more time online (e.g. social media, internet, texting, gaming, etc.) and less time on non-screen activities (e.g. in-person social interactions, sports, homework, attending religious services) had poorer mental health (Twenge et al., 2018). Another study found that higher screen time among adolescents was associated with lower life satisfaction and optimism and higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms (Oberle et al., 2020). Regarding usage of screens, one study found that greater time spent on social media was related with increased risk of adolescent self-harm (Barthorpe et al., 2020). 

These three studies provide critical information for youth development practitioners. First, too much screen time is not good for youth. Second, too much screen time can lead to poorer youth mental well-being. Third, too much social media can put youth ad increased risk for self-harm.

How can 4-H shooting sports help?

4-H shooting sports can buffer against the mental health challenges our young people face through creating healthy developmental contexts, which include: 1) supportive relationships, 2) engagement in skill development learning activities, 3) fostering a sense of belonging, and 4) encouraging youth to find their "spark" (i.e. passion in life that can help others). Rather than watching screens, the 4-H shooting sports project provides youth with in-person social interactions with their peers and caring adult 4-H volunteers. 

We all have mental health

Watch this video to learn more about what mental health is and the importance of supporting the mental wellbeing of young people.

Reflection questions

Here are some reflection questions:

1. Is there anyone in your 4-H project (or in your sphere of influence) that you believe may struggle with a mental health challenge? If so, what signs or symptoms have you seen?
2. How can you best support youth who have a mental health challenge? Is there a mental health professional you can connect them with? (e.g. primary care doctor, school counselor, certified mental health therapist, etc.)
3. Does "mental health" have a negative stigma in your 4-H club or community? Why or why not?

Youth mental health first aid

One way you can help our young people is through becoming a certified Youth Mental Health First Aider. According to their website, "Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders."

I (Matthew Rodriguez) am a certified youth mental health first aid instructor and offer trainings on a regular basis. If you are interested in attending one of my upcoming trainings, please email me at mrro@ucanr.edu.

Contact me

Matthew Rodriguez, PhD

4-H Youth Development Advisor

University of California Cooperative Extension

Placer, Nevada, Sutter, and Yuba Counties

mrro@ucanr.edu

Certified Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor

References

Barthorpe, A., Winstone, L., Mars, B., & Moran, P. (2020). Is social media screen time really associated with poor adolescent mental health?  A time use diary study. Journal of Affective Disorders, 274, 864-870. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.05.106 

Cunningham RM, Walton MA, Carter PM. The Major Causes of Death in Children and Adolescents in the United States. N Engl J Med. 2018 Dec 20;379(25):2468-2475. doi: 10.1056/NEJMsr1804754. PMID: 30575483; PMCID: PMC6637963.

Hink AB, Killings X, Bhatt A, Ridings LE, Andrews AL. Adolescent Suicide-Understanding Unique Risks and Opportunities for Trauma Centers to Recognize, Intervene, and Prevent a Leading Cause of Death. Curr Trauma Rep. 2022;8(2):41-53. doi: 10.1007/s40719-022-00223-7. Epub 2022 Apr 2. PMID: 35399601; PMCID: PMC8976221.

Oberle, E., Ji, X. R., Kerai, S., Guhn, M., Schonert-Reichl, K. A., & Gadermann, A. M. (2020). Screen time and extracurricular activities as risk and protective factors for mental health in adolescence: A population-level study. Preventive medicine, 141, 106291. 

Twenge, J. M., Martin, G. N., & Campbell, W. K. (2018). Decreases in psychological well-being among American adolescents after 2012 and links to screen time during the rise of smartphone technology. Emotion, 18(6), 765.